Tuesday Bolts – 5.25.10

Jeff Green is done with Twitter for a while. I’d put up his tweet saying so, but it appears he already cancelled his account.

This is a major, major bummer: “The Thunder is losing its best role player. Brick Man is leaving town. In an NBA arena that’s become known for its dressed-up, amped-up super fans, none is more well-known than Brick Man. His giant brick head and his front-row seat make him one of the most visible fans at the Ford Center. Derrick Seys is the man behind the persona, and when he’s not playing the role of Brick Man, he’s working as an aeronautical engineer. He recently accepted a new job, and his family will be moving from Oklahoma to Illinois later this summer. “We got traded,” Seys deadpanned.” OKC will have to try and fine a replacement via free agency, but the market just doesn’t look that strong. Somebody within the organization will likely have to step up.

Berry Tramel on Scott Brooks: “Believe it or not, 13 NBA teams have made coaching changes since the Thunder elevated Brooks to the job in November 2008. Welcome to the volatile world of NBA coaching. And of the 16 who have been on the job longer than Brooks, six have only 13 games on him. The Thunder was 13 games into the 2008-09 when P.J. Carlesimo was fired and Brooks was elevated; Dallas’ Rick Carlisle, Phoenix’s Alvin Gentry, the Knickerbockers’ Mike D’Antoni, Milwaukee’s Scott Skiles, Miami’s Erik Spoelstra and Charlotte’s Larry Brown each just completed their second full season on the job.”

We could be looking at Amare Stoudemire’s home finale in Phoenix tonight. One source says he’s not coming back: “I don’t think it’s going to happen,” a source close to Stoudemire told ESPN. “Amare feels like the organization disrespected him. Amare loves his teammates and has really enjoyed playing for the team these last few months, but he’s reluctant to commit to Phoenix long-term.” Chris Bosh said no to OKC. Amare might be the next best thing. Should the Thunder make a run at him? Go.

Some combine notes from Chad Ford: “Whiteside is the draft’s biggest “high risk/high reward” player. He had a terrific freshman season, recording an amazing three triple-doubles for Marshall. His measurements were off the charts in Chicago — a whopping 7-7 wingspan and a 9-5 standing reach. When the athletic combine numbers are released later this week, I expect him to be one of the top players there, too. He’s been compared to everyone from Marcus Camby to Tyrus Thomas. Teams are looking at him as high as No. 6 but many teams believe he could drop into the mid-to-late first round depending on workouts and interviews.”

Tulsa standout Jerome Jordan is catching some attention: “Soon, the people of Jamaica can be proud of another native son who just so happens to be a stellar athlete—Tulsa seven-footer Jerome Jordan. He’d be only the fifth Jamaican-born player in NBA history, and his talent as a low-post scorer and shot-blocker is likely to get him selected in the second round of next month’s draft—something he’s been anticipating for quite a while now.”

I looked at it a little too briefly and missed a bad lineup or two. From what I can see Jordan tried Iverson with AI at SF, Toung at PF and Brand at C for 90 minutes and they won by 6. That wasn't really as strong as I first thought and maybe that much wouldn't be considered "strong" ordinarily but I guess it is still relatively strong for a team that only won a third of their games.

The problem with getting brand is that with his contract we are pretty obligated to play him, and he isnt horrible. So the PF mins would be split between him/green and ibaka. So green wouild have to take a huge cut in minutes, even if he still starts. Maybe 24 mins ibaka and 8 for green and 16 brand, then green plays 10 mins at backup SF but that is only 18 minutes when he played 37 this year. Then at center maybe, 16/16/16 for krstic, collison and cousins.

@ThunderHornActually, he blew his Achilles in his last year with the Clippers. He returned for the final month of the season, put up decent numbers, and everyone assumed he was (or would be by the next season) healthy. Philly scooped him up in FA and he's never looked healthy.

@justinI think the 9 would have to be a jumping point to something a little higher. I don't expect Monroe to get past Detroit at the latest, and could be in GS as a reason to trade Biedrins. Orton just isn't worth the 9th pick. I imagine if Utah is trading it's precisely because there isn't a high end big man available.

Utah has $54 million tied up in seven players, with Wes Matthews, Kyle Korver, Kyrylo Fesenko, and Carlos Boozer free agents. They spent $74 million on payroll this season and fizzled out due to injuries. So they have $20 million to play with. So you're right, I don't think there's a huge need for Utah to trade Kirilenko in a salary dump, they can probably afford to retain Boozer if he wants to stay.

Also it's not like Utah could not use a young big man prospect in the middle.

If the rumors about Cousin's character and attitude are less about fact and more about posturing this time of year, then I say you do whatever is within your power to draft him. He may be the best talent / skill / measurements player we've seen in the draft in years.

Cousins may be a headcase, or he may just be immature with an odd personality. Brook Lopez was and is a little immature, but he brings it on the floor. You put an immature Cousins on a team where there is no pressure on him, and the team is winning, maybe he grows up.

Unless there are definite warning signs beyond immaturity, then I say that's a risk you have to take. Centers this good only come around once every other year. Howard, Oden, Lopez... You have to take that guy if you have the slightest chance.

Some interesting tidbit from Chad Ford's chat thats going on right now:

Adam (Eldridge)

Chad, since Bosh to OKC doesn't look like it will work, what are the chances David Lee goes there? Or do you see the Thunder not making any big moves this off season?

Chad Ford (1:38 PM)

I'm not sure Thunder will spend their money ... I hear they're willing to take back a player with a contract in order to move up higher in the draft. If they can get Top 5, look for them to run toward DeMarcus Cousins. In top 10, Daniel Orton.

Thunder tim :I am really intrigued by Jerome Jordan after reading that post. His attitude towards team first and hard work always would be perfect with us. I sure hope we give him a try.

I went to Tulsa U and have followed them since. He tends to disappear at times. I also don't know if he's physical enough right now. He'll be a project. Probably a less physical version of Florida St. guy.

@Vegaour rookie scale contracts will be up and we will have to make choices, we cant extend ibaka, harden, maynor, this years rookies, westbrook, green, durant, mullens,weaver,white. The spurs model which is what we are using is 3 stars and then a bunch of rookie contracts and cheap players. So pick 3 of those guys, maybe 4,(durant is one spot, maybe westbrook, harden and ibaka) the rest will have to go in free agency and replaced with new rookie contracts.

Thats where i get the 3-4 years from, we then will have to reload and possibly have an off year or two then have another 3-4 year window then maybe another off year or two then maybe can close out durants career with another window. a sustained 10 year window would require luxury tax level spending on retaining our rookie deal players.

If we want Serge to play the 4 then we really still need a 5 not a 4. We need some beef in the middle. I think Dexter Pittman may surprise some people. He didn't do well will with Rick Barnes but when he decided to play he was tough. Particularly on defense. He played Blake Griffin better than anyone last year. He's got the ability to be a physical defender in the NBA if he can get motivated. I like him MUCH better than Tiny Gallon.

@f5alconlee can be 5 but it is said that he doesnt want to be and I dont think he can be a decent C.But Amare can.I know he is not a good defender and rebounder,but thunder have Serge and Nick to help him to defense and KD can do better in rebound next season.What i am worry about him is his age.He is 28 now and maybe he would take more jump but less close.He is a good jump shooter but it is not enough for a player wnats to get max contract.I doubt whether he would be the next Brand.

While we would love to have you in OKC I think your rec specs must go before we even consider you. I understand you have some eye issue. Is it really that big of a deal? I think you could find another alternative. I'll look into it.

Amare is a average rebounder at best and a terrible defender. He's also 28 with a game that relies a ton on athleticism and has had micro-fracture knee surgery. Yes, he's regained his athleticism but he could be due for another surgery in the next year or two, most micro-fracture surgeries need to be redone after 5 years or so.

Could Ibaka play the 5 if Lee was our 4? Or vice-versa, just curious if people think Ibaka cant really play center or if its more of a matchup thing and adding a guy who can score in the post and rebound would make it more feasible